China Tour Support Page - Electrical, Cameras, Laptops & E-Mail

ELECTRICAL:

Hair Dryers and Shavers: We are staying at 5-star hotels throughout so you can expect to always find a hair dryer in your hotel room bathroom. Many bathrooms will also have a plug that will operate dual voltage shavers but you will still need a plug adapter in order to plug it into the socket. Read and be careful so you don't burn up your unit and be without a replacement for the rest of the tour.

While onboard the 5-star ship, you will NOT find hair dryers in cabins because of the power needs and supply methods on a river ship cruising through the Three Gorges, etc., in China. They ask that you not use your own hair dryer in your cabin because of the electrical system and the problems this could cause them. They do provide some loaner hair dryers at the front desk that do work OK with their onboard electrical system or you could choose to treat yourself to a hair appointment at the onboard Beauty Salon where you will be also treated to a great head massage during the shampoo phase. I am told the price and the experience are worth it! BUT you may also choose to bring along your own mini-hair dryer (preferably dual voltage travel type) to cover the 5- night cruise. BUT if you do bring one, they ask that you bring your own hair dryer to the onboard Beauty Salon to use - where the power needs are correctly met. You might also elect to coordinate with friends going on the same tour and share just one to minimize the packing needs.

Electrical Converters and plug adapters for use in China are available in the Magellan’s travel catalogue and online - and they will also guide you to the right selection if you call them [800-962-4943]. They are very service oriented and ship fast. Their web site has an Electrical Connection Wizard that can walk you through the choices based on what you are bringing. You can also find these items at Walmart, most drugstores, and in the luggage section of most department stores. Try not to bring anything you can live without - keep it simple and enjoy the tour more.

Basically, there are two main types of converters – one for non-heat producing appliances and one for those that are heat producing. There is also a great converter which I prefer that offers automatic high-low conversion and works for all items. It can be ordered from Magellan’s with the 4 most common standard adapter plugs (one is good for China) : Auto Combination Converter and Adaptor Plugs $45.85 Item #EA247. This takes the guesswork out of conversion and automatically switches itself based on the appliance being used and is good for electronic appliances up to 50 Watts & heating appliances up to 2000 Watts. NOTE: Many travel appliances now offer built-in dual-voltage capability which removes the need to bring a converter for those, but you will still need the adapter plug for use in China (PRC = Peoples Republic of China = Mainland China) – you plug your item into the adapter plug and then plug that into the wall socket.

** Your destination country is China, Peoples Republic of which uses the 220-250 volt system.**

We now need to determine if your appliance is "dual-voltage." Some appliances are dual-voltage; they are designed to operate on voltage between 100-250 volts without damage to the components. These appliances do not require transformers. Many North American-made appliances, however, are designed to operate only within the 100-125 volt range. These appliances will suffer damage if plugged into 220-250 volts.

To determine the voltage requirements, you'll need to look at the appliance. Power requirements are usually displayed on the appliance on the back where the cord is attached. Laptops, digital camera battery chargers, and other types of equipment that have a detachable cord often have a box in the middle of the cord or a large box at the plug end that displays the input power requirements. If the appliance lists 110, 115, 120 or 125 volts only, it is not dual-voltage. If the appliance lists 100-240 or 110-230 or something similar, it is dual voltage.

Magellan’s has a great article online that explains everything: Phone & Electrical Connections. They also offer a Wizard for choosing the 2-prong non-grounded and 3-prong grounded adapter plugs. In China you will need Non-grounding Adaptor Plug E and/or Grounding Adaptor Plug E - be sure the adaptors you take accept polarized-blade appliance plugs (Magellan's plugs do) and fit down into the recessed sockets you'll find around the world (Magellan's plugs do this, too!).

Here is a photo of the 2-prong plug adapter that you plug your 2-prong device into and then plug the adapter into the socket:

South Pacific Style Adaptor Plug - $2.85 Item #EA351E - E pattern slip-on adaptor plug.

and here is a photo of the 3-prong (grounded) plug adapter should any of your items have a 3-pronged plug:

Grounding Adaptor Plug E - $6.85 Item #EA23MEG - E pattern slip-on adaptor plug (grounding)

Your digital camera and/or camcorder may have or suggest its own re-charger, but it will need the adapter plug (and possible a voltage converter if it is not already dual-voltage). You will be able to buy regular (non-rechargeable) AA and AAA batteries in China, but I always bring a small supply of regular non-rechargeable batteries to have on hand in case my rechargeable ones run out of steam while out and about - which ALWAYS happens at the worst moment.

Photography: You can easily buy film in China but finding the right media storage card for your digital camera and/or the right cassette tapes for your camcorder will be a lot tougher. No matter how much you think you will need, it will probably not be enough – BRING A LOT MORE than you think you will need! Many report returning home with 1000's of digital images taken.

Postcards are a favorite item for street vendors to hawk every time a tour bus stops – bargain to get more than one for $1 – sometimes you can get as many as 5 for a $1 – and postcards are a great choice to bring home great shots of places you are visiting. If you can pre-print mailing labels with the home addresses of your friends and family, this will speed up the process for sending them back home. The hotel front desk can always help with the postage and mailing process.

LAPTOPS:

For the very few of you who need to bring your laptop because of business needs (otherwise, leave it home - puleeze!), please check out Magellan’s excellent articles (www.Magellans.com) found under the top heading “Travel Advice”, then click on “Business Travel” under the sub-heading of “Travel Articles” for “How to Stay in Love with Your Laptop” and “Getting Your Email on the Road”. All the hotels have a Business Center but they usually only have a few computers to service the whole hotel - and they can be slow and expensive to use. The system for usage will vary from hotel to hotel as well.

For the few that MUST have a laptop on their vacation, we recommend that you keep your laptop in your carry-on bag when traveling as it can get damaged in your checked bag. [I carry my tiny laptop inside a small shoulder bag – no one knows I have a laptop with me – and I can place the shoulder bag inside my tote bag with other essentials so I don’t visually exceed the amount of carry-on.]. The TSA web site also mentions that you are not supposed to pack any batteries in your checked luggage.

Traveling with your laptop as a carry-on is safer and is the preferred method: but you should still be careful when placing it on the X-ray machine belt. Place laptops in a bin by itself. Do not place any other items on top of it. This ensures the screener can see that the bin contains a laptop.

Remember, the X-ray belts move both forward and backward. Try to avoid placing your laptop on the belt with other items that may dislodge it. Reclaim and secure your laptop as quickly as possible once through the screening process.

And for those who may need to phone home, read "Staying in Touch Abroad" for some good tips - click on www.Magellans.com/store/article/355?Args=. The National Guide assigned to your bus will also be a great help in showing you how. I have just used the lobby pay-phone with either a pre-paid phone card bought at the hotel or a credit card for the VERY rare times I needed to call the US.

All the National Guides (one assigned per each bus for whole tour) will have cell phones for emergencies, etc. I will have my tiny laptop with me for nightly E-mail contact between the group and your designated rep back home (more on that later). Your tour docs will include a tour contact number in China to give to your friends/family back home to be used in any emergency – they will always know where we are and how to reach us. You will also be given a Hotel sheet with contact information for all the hotels where we will be staying - to share with your family and friends.

For the very few who want to carry their own cell phone for usage in China, you will need to consult with your own mobile phone company to see whether you can adapt yours or rent a unit that will work in China. It may be easier and less expensive to just use the payphones and a pre-paid phone card.

E-MAIL

[This section will be filled in shortly for the 2011 tour.]

RETURN to the TOP

Or click on the luggage to return to the Main Page of this Tour Support Section:



1. ELECTRICAL 2. LAPTOPS 3. E-MAIL ELECTRICAL: Hair Dryers and Shavers: We are staying at 5-star hotels throughout so you can expect to always find a hair dryer in your hotel room bathroom. Many bathrooms will also have a plug that will operate dual voltage shavers but you will still need a plug adapter in order to plug it into the socket. Read and be careful so you don't burn up your unit and be without a replacement for the rest of the tour. While onboard the 5-star ship, you will NOT find hair dryers in cabins because of the power needs and supply methods on a river ship cruising through the Three Gorges, etc., in China. They ask that you not use your own hair dryer in your cabin because of the electrical system and the problems this could cause them. They do provide some loaner hair dryers at the front desk that do work OK with their onboard electrical system or you could choose to treat yourself to a hair appointment at the onboard Beauty Salon where you will be also treated to a great head massage during the shampoo phase. I am told the price and the experience are worth it! BUT you may also choose to bring along your own mini-hair dryer (preferably dual voltage travel type) to cover the 5- night cruise. BUT if you do bring one, they ask that you bring your own hair dryer to the onboard Beauty Salon to use - where the power needs are correctly met. You might also elect to coordinate with friends going on the same tour and share just one to minimize the packing needs. Electrical Converters and plug adapters for use in China are available in the Magellan’s travel catalogue and online - and they will also guide you to the right selection if you call them [800-962-4943]. They are very service oriented and ship fast. Their web site has an Electrical Connection Wizard that can walk you through the choices based on what you are bringing. You can also find these items at Walmart, most drugstores, and in the luggage section of most department stores. Try not to bring anything you can live without - keep it simple and enjoy the tour more. Basically, there are two main types of converters – one for non-heat producing appliances and one for those that are heat producing. There is also a great converter which I prefer that offers automatic high-low conversion and works for all items. It can be ordered from Magellan’s with the 4 most common standard adapter plugs (one is good for China) : Auto Combination Converter and Adaptor Plugs $45.85 Item #EA247. This takes the guesswork out of conversion and automatically switches itself based on the appliance being used and is good for electronic appliances up to 50 Watts & heating appliances up to 2000 Watts. NOTE: Many travel appliances now offer built-in dual-voltage capability which removes the need to bring a converter for those, but you will still need the adapter plug for use in China (PRC = Peoples Republic of China = Mainland China) – you plug your item into the adapter plug and then plug that into the wall socket. Your destination country is China, Peoples Republic of which uses the 220-250 volt system. We now need to determine if your appliance is "dual-voltage." Some appliances are dual-voltage; they are designed to operate on voltage between 100-250 volts without damage to the components. These appliances do not require transformers. Many North American-made appliances, however, are designed to operate only within the 100-125 volt range. These appliances will suffer damage if plugged into 220-250 volts. To determine the voltage requirements, you'll need to look at the appliance. Power requirements are usually displayed on the appliance on the back where the cord is attached. Laptops, digital camera battery chargers, and other types of equipment that have a detachable cord often have a box in the middle of the cord or a large box at the plug end that displays the input power requirements. If the appliance lists 110, 115, 120 or 125 volts only, it is not dual-voltage. If the appliance lists 100-240 or 110-230 or something similar, it is dual voltage. Magellan’s has a great article online that explains everything: Phone & Electrical Connections. They also offer a Wizard for choosing the 2-prong non-grounded and 3-prong grounded adapter plugs. In China you will need Non-grounding Adaptor Plug E and/or Grounding Adaptor Plug E - be sure the adaptors you take accept polarized-blade appliance plugs (Magellan's plugs do) and fit down into the recessed sockets you'll find around the world (Magellan's plugs do this, too!). Here is a photo of the 2-prong plug adapter that you plug your 2-prong device into and then plug the adapter into the socket: South Pacific Style Adaptor Plug - $2.85 Item #EA351E - E pattern slip-on adaptor plug. and here is a photo of the 3-prong (grounded) plug adapter should any of your items have a 3-pronged plug: Grounding Adaptor Plug E - $6.85 Item #EA23MEG - E pattern slip-on adaptor plug (grounding) Your digital camera and/or camcorder may have or suggest its own re-charger, but it will need the adapter plug (and possible a voltage converter if it is not already dual-voltage). You will be able to buy regular (non-rechargeable) AA and AAA batteries in China, but I always bring a small supply of regular non-rechargeable batteries to have on hand in case my rechargeable ones run out of steam while out and about - which ALWAYS happens at the worst moment. Photography: You can easily buy film in China but finding the right media storage card for your digital camera and/or the right cassette tapes for your camcorder will be a lot tougher. No matter how much you think you will need, it will probably not be enough – BRING A LOT MORE than you think you will need! Many report returning home with 1000's of digital images taken. Postcards are a favorite item for street vendors to hawk every time a tour bus stops – bargain to get more than one for $1 – sometimes you can get as many as 5 for a $1 – and postcards are a great choice to bring home great shots of places you are visiting. If you can pre-print mailing labels with the home addresses of your friends and family, this will speed up the process for sending them back home. The hotel front desk can always help with the postage and mailing process. LAPTOPS: For the very few of you who need to bring your laptop because of business needs (otherwise, leave it home - puleeze!), please check out Magellan’s excellent articles (www.Magellans.com) found under the top heading “Travel Advice”, then click on “Business Travel” under the sub-heading of “Travel Articles” for “How to Stay in Love with Your Laptop” and “Getting Your Email on the Road”. All the hotels have a Business Center but they usually only have a few computers to service the whole hotel - and they can be slow and expensive to use. The system for usage will vary from hotel to hotel as well. For the few that MUST have a laptop on their vacation, we recommend that you keep your laptop in your carry-on bag when traveling as it can get damaged in your checked bag. [I carry my tiny laptop inside a small shoulder bag – no one knows I have a laptop with me – and I can place the shoulder bag inside my tote bag with other essentials so I don’t visually exceed the amount of carry-on.]. The TSA web site also mentions that you are not supposed to pack any batteries in your checked luggage. Traveling with your laptop as a carry-on is safer and is the preferred method: but you should still be careful when placing it on the X-ray machine belt. Place laptops in a bin by itself. Do not place any other items on top of it. This ensures the screener can see that the bin contains a laptop. Remember, the X-ray belts move both forward and backward. Try to avoid placing your laptop on the belt with other items that may dislodge it. Reclaim and secure your laptop as quickly as possible once through the screening process. And for those who may need to phone home, read "Staying in Touch Abroad" for some good tips - click on www.Magellans.com/store/article/355?Args=. The National Guide assigned to your bus will also be a great help in showing you how. I have just used the lobby pay-phone with either a pre-paid phone card bought at the hotel or a credit card for the VERY rare times I needed to call the US. All the National Guides (one assigned per each bus for whole tour) will have cell phones for emergencies, etc. I will have my tiny laptop with me for nightly E-mail contact between the group and your designated rep back home (more on that later). Your tour docs will include a tour contact number in China to give to your friends/family back home to be used in any emergency – they will always know where we are and how to reach us. You will also be given a Hotel sheet with contact information for all the hotels where we will be staying - to share with your family and friends. For the very few who want to carry their own cell phone for usage in China, you will need to consult with your own mobile phone company to see whether you can adapt yours or rent a unit that will work in China. It may be easier and less expensive to just use the payphones and a pre-paid phone card. E-MAIL [This section will be filled in shortly for the 2011 tour.] RETURN to the TOP Or click on the luggage to return to the Main Page of this Tour Support Section: This page last updated August 3, 2010